Compost collection bin

ABSTRACT

A sealable bin for collecting waste biomass in a household kitchen comprising a container for receiving biomass, a sealable lid for placement over the container, venting means for circulating air within the waste biomass, and a handle. Venting means is contained in the lid. The inside surfaces of the container have a series of parallel features comprising either channels or projections in order create pathways into and out of the container for aeration of the biomass and dehumidifying of the biomass so as to deter anaerobic decomposition and odours.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/149,217 filed on Feb. 2, 2009.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to composting apparatus and more particularly to a compost collection bin.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Composting organic kitchen waste is an important way to reduce the amount of biomass that is put into landfill. Buried biomass generates methane gas which is a well known and patent greenhouse gas. Buried biomass also produces hydrogen sulphide gas which is potentially poisonous and has an offensive rotten egg odour. Reduction of biomass placed into landfill extends the life of the landfill and reduces noxious emissions from the landfill. As well, composted kitchen waste creates a high quality fertilizer than can be used on household gardens.

Many households continue to place organic waste into garbage destined for landfill. One reason for this is a perceived difficulty in collecting and storing biomass indoors. One problem associated with composting organic waste is its collection in the kitchen in suitable amounts prior to transfer to the garden composting apparatus and the potential for unpleasant odours in the household. The householder wishes to use a container that is aesthetically pleasing for indoor use and does not create distasteful odours in the kitchen. A number of compost containers are presently marketed which comprise stainless steel containers. These are shiny and aesthetically pleasing. However, they are merely pails with low capacity that must be emptied often. They have to be emptied often to avoid decomposition of the matter in the pail and resulting odours. Other indoor compost containers resemble rectangular garbage cans which are not pleasing to the eye and rely upon charcoal filters to keep odours to a minimum. Handling and emptying such a container can be awkward and the top of the container is detached and may fall off the container during transport and emptying.

Therefore, there is a need for a new type of compost container that can be used to collect kitchen waste, is aesthetically pleasing, and capable of prolonged use prior to emptying without anaerobic decomposition causing unpleasant odours in the household.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a compost collection bin fabricated from a suitable thermoplastic material such as HDPE with a volume of at least 7.5 L. However, the invention can be adapted to be as large as 120 L and generally, whatever size is demanded by the market. The present invention comprises three main parts which are the container for receiving the waste biomass, the lid for sealing the container and the handle for manipulating the container. In one embodiment of the invention the lid comprises a plurality of pinholes for aerating the biomass to prevent anaerobic decomposition and odours. The pin holes can be opened and closed using venting means. The pin holes are generally smaller than a fruit fly to prevent these and other small insects from entering the container. In another embodiment of the invention the lid seals the container and has no pin holes.

Advantages of the present invention include interior flutes or channels along the inside surface of the container. These channels allow for air to gain access to the organic material to promote aerobic decomposition and also permit evaporation of moisture up the channels and out of the vented lid. In the embodiment where the lid does not contain vents, the action of opening and closing the sealed lid acts to pump air into the biomass and draw moisture laden air out of the biomass. The lid is releasable from the container to permit better cleaning and use of dishwashers. In other embodiment of the invention there may be ripples, corrugations, dimples or other similar features that encourage air circulation around the biomass within the container. These features have a low profile and so the interior of the container is easily cleaned without biomass being trapped within the channels. Another advantage of the invention is the ergonomic hand grips which allow the user a wide range options to grasp and manipulate the container. This particularly important for older persons who may have difficulty handing a container without a properly design handle. Another advantageous feature of the invention is the bottom tabs or “buck teeth” which, when used in cooperation with the handle and lid, permit the user to maintain control of the container during emptying operations.

The invention is aesthetically pleasing and so can remain in sight and in use in the household.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top view of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a side view of invention with the top closed.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention containing biomass.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the channels have a semi-circular profile.

FIG. 4 is a top view of yet another embodiment of the invention comprising dimples on the bottom inside surface.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the invention in top view.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention with no projections or channels on the inside surface of the container.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the invention bottom view.

FIG. 9 shows the invention as it might appear being emptied.

FIG. 9A is a view of the tabs on the bottom of the container in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9B is a view of how the tabs and lid are used to grasp the container.

FIG. 10 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention with the lid having partial venting.

FIG. 11 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention showing the connection between the lid and the container.

FIG. 12 illustrates how the lid can be disconnected from the container.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a top view of the invention 10 comprising the container 12, the sealing top 14 and the ergonomic handle 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lid 14 includes venting means 18 comprising a plurality of perforations 20 adapted to let air into and out of the sealed container to promote aerobic decomposition. The venting means 18 also permits moisture to escape the sealed container so as to keep the biomass relatively dry. Lid 14 further comprises a skirt 22 and a latching aperture 17 which is adapted to engage release button 15 on lip 26 of the container 12 in a sealing arrangement. Release button 15 is integral to lip 26 and engages latching aperture 17 for a secure and easy to use and see release mechanism. FIG. 1A shows the same embodiment of the invention 10 as in FIG. 1 in side view with the lid 14 closed.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown the invention containing a quantity of biomass 28. The channels 30 within the inside walls 32 of the container 12 are adapted to permit air flow 34 into and around the biomass thereby preventing anaerobic decomposition and odours. Air flow 34 will occur with the lid 14 closed and sealed through venting means 18. Alternatively, the lid 14 does not include venting means 18 the action of opening and closing the led will result in air being forced into and drawn out of the biomass by compression (when closing) and suction (when opening). The vent holes in the lid are sufficiently small so as to prevent egress by fruit flies and other small insects.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment of the invention 36 in top view wherein the channels 38 have a semi-circular profile. In this embodiment the channels descend from the lip 40 of the container to the bottom 42 of the container and across the inside bottom surface of the container and up the opposite side 44 of the container. Channels are also shown on the back surface 46 of the container and may be inscribed on the front surface (not shown) as well.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown yet another embodiment of the invention 50 comprising a grid pattern of dimples 52 on the bottom surface 54 of the container 56. The dimples have the purpose of maintain airflow channels around the bottom of the biomass within the container as well as permitting fluids that will accumulate there by gravity to evaporate into the air flow and be expelled out of the top of the container.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown still another embodiment of the invention 60 wherein the channels 62 have a rectangular profile with a tapered top portion 64. At the bottom of the container 66 the channels join to form a network 68 of channels on the bottom inside surface of the container. This permits air flow along the bottom of the biomass in the container and also permits collection of moisture along the sides of the container for pooling at the bottom of the container. Air flow will promote evaporation of the moisture into the air for expulsion out of the top of the container.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown another embodiment of the invention 70 wherein there are a plurality of parallel elongate projections 72 along the insides 74 and bottom inside surface 76 of the container 78. The projections have a semi-circular profile and permit air flow between them along pathways 80.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is one embodiment of the invention 90 wherein there are no channels or projections on the inside surfaces of the container 92.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown the bottom surface 94 of one embodiment of the invention 96. Also illustrated are the support legs 98 to lift the container off of a supporting surface, the ergonomic handle 100 and the vented lid 102. One further advantage of the invention is the tabs 104 and 106 which can be grasped by the user's hand with the lid to manipulate the container during emptying. The tabs are curved or dished to provide for an ergonomic and secure grip. Straight tabs may also be provided in other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown another view of the invention wherein the tabs 104 and 106 are shown more clearly. The tabs are moulded into the container as illustrated in FIG. 9A. The handle 100 is placed behind the container and the lid 102 is swung back so that it contacts the handle. In this configuration, the tabs are used with the lid as a grasp to hold the container during emptying. This is illustrated in FIG. 9B.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown another embodiment 110 wherein the lid 112 is partially vented 114. The venting can be opened and closed by a handle 116 moving from a full open to a full closed position in slide 118. Advantageously the vent can be placed in any location on the surface of the lid. In another embodiment of the invention the vent can be placed in multiple corners of the lid. The vent opening and closing mechanism can take other forms such as a rotating vent, a flip lid over the vent or equivalents.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown another advantage of the invention which is the releasable lid 120 hinged to the container 122. By pressing the lid and the container together where indicated by the black arrows the distance between the hinges holding the lid to the container will expand causing the hinges to release the lid. The lid can be easily re-installed by the same pressing operation. This is illustrated in FIG. 12.

Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations and examples of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the lid of the invention may have no venting or partial venting or full venting. The container can have other shapes as can the channels and projections within the container. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A composting collection bin comprising a sealable container having a volume for receiving waste biomass; and, a lid adapted to seal said container and provide for venting of said volume within the container.
 2. The bin of claim further comprising a handle for comfortably carrying said collection bin.
 3. The bin of claim 1 wherein the container comprises four sides and a bottom having inside surfaces, said inside surfaces comprising means for aerating and dehumidifying said waste biomass.
 4. The bin of claim 2 wherein said means comprises a series of parallel recesses integral to said inside surfaces, said series of parallel recesses adapted to permit air flow from outside the container to permeate the waste biomass.
 5. The bin of claim 3 wherein the series of parallel recesses are further adapted to promote evaporation of moisture within the waste biomass to the said air flow so that said moisture is carried out of the container.
 6. The bin of claim 2 wherein the means comprises a series of parallel projections integral to the inside surfaces, said series of parallel projections adapted to create passages for air flow around the waste biomass.
 7. The bin of claim 1 wherein said lid has a surface area and said surface area is perforated with a plurality of perforations.
 8. The bin of claim 7 wherein the plurality of perforations can be opened and closed by venting means.
 9. The bin of claim 1 wherein the lid is removeably hinged to the sealable container.
 10. The bin of claim 1 wherein the container further includes at least one tab depending from the bottom surface of the container adopted for hand grasping when the lid is in a rearward position.
 11. The bin of claim 2 wherein the container includes two adjacent dished tabs depending from the bottom surface thereof and adopted for hand grasping. 